Unofficial Picture: Infiniti Emerg-E Concept

Though it wasn’t supposed to be revealed until the rapidly approaching 2012 Geneva Motor Show, leaked photos have revealed the design of the Infiniti Emerg-E concept. We previously got a peek at the Infiniti all-electric sports car when renderings (shown in the gallery below) were also recently leaked.

The Emerg-E leaked photos show a low and wide sports car that bears a resemblance to supercars like the new McLaren MP4-12C and the Acura NSX concept. The front fascia wears the same polygonal grille that graces other new Infiniti products, the rear has a subtle spoiler and a large lower diffuser, while the roof has a large panoramic glass sunroof. Interior photos reveal a driver-focused cabin with a tall center console and sporty three-spoke steering wheel.

The crux of the Infiniti Emerg-E concept will be a mid-mounted, extended-range electric drivetrain. As in cars like the Chevrolet Volt, drivers will use electric power until the battery is depleted, then a gasoline engine kicks in to help provide extra juice so the Emerg-E can drive farther. We believe the electric drivetrain will be cribbed from the Nissan Leaf, comprising a lithium-ion battery pack and an 80-kW electric motor. The range extender will likely be a 1.2-liter gas engine, and is mid-mounted so the Infiniti Emerg-E is balanced for better handling.

In the past, Nissan executives have called the Emerg-E concept, “our vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car… The natural next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment intersect.” If the eco-friendly sports car is green-lit for production, it probably won’t debut until 2014 at the earliest.